the Toronto Project

TERMS OF REFERENCE

TORONTO SENIORS COORDINATING COMMITTEE

Improving the Quality of Life of Canadian Seniors Project

Role

The Toronto Seniors Coordinating Committee will direct the design and implementation of the local project. Within the general framework laid out in the Health Canada proposal, it will direct the activities of the local project coordinator. This committee may wish to appoint co-chairs and establish sub-committees.

Members will work in partnership with the university co-investigator, and the Toronto municipality. The Coordinating Committee will consult with an Advisory Committee on the implementation of the project and the interpretation and application of the projects' findings. Sub-committees of the Coordinating Committee may be established to work on particular issues, such as communications and outreach, participation, methodology, and action.

Membership of the Seniors Coordinating Committee

Up to 10 seniors who are committed to the goals and general activities outlined in the Health Canada proposal.

Supported by the university co-investigator and the Toronto project coordinator.

Accountability

The Coordinating Committee is financially accountable to the University of Toronto which is administering the funds from Health Canada. The academic co-investigator or designate, or the project coordinator, can serve as the communication link with the University of Toronto financial administrators. The project coordinator will serve as the communication link with the Toronto Advisory Committee.

Decision-Making

Decisions will be made by consensus within the Coordinating Committee. It is expected that the Committee will take guidance on methodological issues from the academic co-investigator and the project coordinator. On other issues it will take guidance from the Advisory Committee.

Responsibilities

• To ensure the project is relevant to seniors and that its activities are consistent with the general framework outlined in the Health Canada proposal.

• To develop, with support from the local and national partners and the local coordinator, the project design, including participants and questions, and data analysis and reporting procedures in consultation with the local partners.

• To assure the implementation of the project within the established time-frame and budget, through direction of the activities of the project coordinator.

• To assure submission by the local project coordinator of the necessary progress reports to the national project team in a timely manner as required.

• To promote the value of the project in various settings (seniors' groups, health and health-related service providers, government, media, etc.).

• To ensure the dissemination of the study's recommendations in a way that results in change at the program and policy levels.

Meeting Schedule

The Toronto Seniors Coordinating Committee will meet on a "as needed basis", but not less than once every two months. If necessary, sub-groups will meet more often to work on particular tasks. The location of meetings will accommodate all community partners.

April 23, 1999